Budesonide

Budesonide is a powerful, locally acting corticosteroid that is 15 times more potent than prednisolone in terms of activity. It is approved for use in humans, but its use in animals is limited.

Group

Budesonide is grouped in corticosteroid.

Mechanism of Action

Granules of budesonide are encapsulated in a methacrylic acid polymer-coated ethylcellulose matrix. The medicine is not released by this coating until the pH is higher than 5.5. There are more forms that hold the drug in until the pH is higher than 7. As a result, the medication is typically not released until it enters the distal GI system. Following release, it builds up in intestinal cells where it is retained through esterification with fatty acids. If any is absorbed, first-pass metabolic processes inactivate 80%–90% of it. As a result, systemic glucocorticoid effects are minimal and it largely affects the intestine locally.

Budesonide also used by inhalation mode, in this it absorbed by lungs and act locally.

Dose Rates

Dog and Cats: 0.12–0.15 mg/kg q12h PO

In dogs, intact 3-mg capsules, once per day, have been administered, but in cats, doses of 0.5–0.75 mg per cat per day are administered by reformulating capsules.

Indications

• Taken by inhalation route-
  • Prevent the symptoms of asthma
• Taken by Oral route
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Colitis in dogs

Contraindications

• No contraindication reported!

Interactions

• Do not administer with drugs that increase stomach pH (antacids, antisecretory drugs) (In case of Inhalation administration, this can be ignored)

Adverse effects

• There is some systemic absorption, as evidenced by decreased response to ACTH and decreased cortisol.

Toxicity

The capsules should not be crushed or compounded for animals unless action in the proximal portion of GI tract is desired.

Preparations

Capsules: 3 mg

Respules: 0.5mg

Budesonide Metered dose inhaler and combined with other component like Levosalbutamol also available in the market.

More about Budesonide for animals